UNDERMINING PROP. 13: THE BEAT GOES ON

Our friend Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, has penned an editorial addressing the recent push by activists to create a split roll property tax in order to more easily raise taxes on commercial properties. In part, the article states:

“To bolster their argument in favor of higher taxes on businesses, these activists falsely claim that homeowners are paying a greater percentage of the total property tax today than they were when Proposition 13 passed 36 years ago. In fact, the percentage paid by non-homeowner occupied property accounted for 58.16 in 1978-79 and has increased to 60.26 percent of all assessments in 2011-12, which means the percentage paid by homeowners has declined. They further justify the increase in property taxes they advocate by saying that Proposition 13 has decimated education while ignoring that, after adjusting for inflation, California is spending 30 percent more per pupil than prior to the passage of the landmark taxpayer protection.”

This is point that we have made over and over again. However, sometimes facts just get in the way with folks that are targeting Prop. 13, so we need to continue to share this information. To help us help you, please share this information.